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Johnston Kidnap Raises Questions
 The BBC's Alan Johnston is the only Western reporter based in Gaza, which makes him an important source of information for many people. Yesterday's kidnapping raises some fascinating questions:
Will the Beeb be cowed by the affair? Or will they finally wake up to the threat of terror?
Does Stockholm Syndrome apply to BBC journalists abducted by Arab terrorists?
Should UK license fee money be used to ransom Johnston?
What PC explanation will explain away the affair?
Will Johnston make a meaningless conversion to Islam--like two Fox reporters? Or might he follow the path of Yvonne Ridley?
Did Johnston's abductors know they were snatching a sympathetic reporter? What kind of jobs can they possibly hope for now?
What does Robert Fisk make of the Johnston affair?
Will the BBC continue to maintain an office in Gaza?
According to AFP, Johnston's three-year assignment ends in April. When the affair ends (peacefully, we hope), should he continue reporting for the last few weeks of his rotation?
Posted at
10:44 AM
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There are two possible outcomes if Alan Johnston is harmed or forced to convert. One the British public will have gone sour on the Palestinians once one of their own is involved. Two Israel will be blamed for having provoked the conditions which made his abduction a necessity. I am taking bets!
Posted by: Robert at Mar 13, 2007 11:35:34 AM
off with the terrorist suporters head. Hang it on a belt bomb outside Bush House. DK
Posted by: DOV KORET at Mar 13, 2007 11:40:31 AM
"Does Stockholm Syndrome apply to BBC journalists abducted by Arab terrorists?"
If you're already in bed with your abductors' politics I don't think the syndrome can really be said to apply...
Posted by: Greg at Mar 13, 2007 12:01:28 PM
I listened to the news on BBC Radio 4 this morning (8.30 news bulletin) and they do not mention kidnapping. The phrasing goes something like the BBC is still unable to contact him, and that he disappeared.
Posted by: Hettie at Mar 13, 2007 1:06:03 PM
From the story reporting the disappearance:
"It is his job to bring us day after day reports of the Palestinian predicament in the Gaza Strip," said the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Paul Adams, himself a former Middle East reporter."
And there I was thinking it was his job to be impartial and report facts. Silly me.
Posted by: name at Mar 13, 2007 3:21:28 PM
Too bad they didn't kidnap Robert Fisk
Posted by: Jimmy at Mar 15, 2007 3:43:45 PM
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